Tuesday, December 28, 2010

I have moved! Well, not really, but I created a new blog. I have had a homeschool blog and a family blog for the past year or so. But, it's too hard for me to maintain 2 blogs (well, 3 if you count my Disney Travel blog). So, I've combined them under a new name, and I would love if you would stop by and follow me over there. My new blog will be my 'life' blog. I'll blog about whatever is on my mind - school, life, family, you name it. This is my last post on this blog. All further posts can be found at...

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Friday, November 5, 2010

This is my favorite whole wheat pancake recipe. It makes a TON. I like to make a triple batch and freeze the leftovers. Then, the kids can just pop a few in the toaster for a warm breakfast when I’m not in the mood to cook.

1) Grind the oats in a food processor until they're chopped fine, but not a powder.

I tried using my mini-chopper for this, and it takes way too long. I will go back to using my food processor next time!

2) Put the flour, oats, and all other dry ingredients into a mixer with a paddle. Mix on slow speed, and drizzle the vegetable oil into the bowl slowly while the mixer is running. (I use a big bowl and a wire whisk. )

3) Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature, or indefinitely in the refrigerator or freezer.

To make pancakes:

1) Whisk together 1 cup of mix, 1 cup of buttermilk, 1 TBSP orange juice, and 1 large egg. Let the batter stand for at least 20 minutes before cooking. The oats will soak up the milk to thicken the batter.

Here, I like to add any mix-ins I may want to add to the batter. My kids like chocolate chips (which I chop in the food processor). Sometimes, I add cinnamon and vanilla or a banana or two.

2) Heat a lightly greased griddle to 350°F (if you've got a griddle with a temperature setting; if not, medium-hot will do).

3) Drop the batter onto it the griddle. I use a 1/4-cup measuring cup.

4) When the edges look dry and bubbles come to the surface without breaking (after about 2 minutes, if your griddle is the correct temperature), turn the pancake over to finish cooking on the second side, which will take about 2 minutes.

5) Serve pancakes immediately, or stack and hold in a warm oven. I love to serve these with sugar-free syrup, and my kids EAT.THEM.UP!!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

Question of the Week:Will you be dressing up for Halloween this year? If not, when were the last time you dressed up, and what did you dress up as?

We celebrate Halloween, but I do not dress up. The last time I dressed up, I was working at a preschool. I dressed up as a pumpkin. Yep, big orange pumpkin costume, striped tights, and pumpkin stem headband. That night, Logan (then 3) and I went to a nearby neighborhood to trick or treat with friends. I got out of the car and walked around to his side to get him out of the car. Can you guess where this is going? Umm…I locked him in the car!! So, the neighbors started to congregate while we all debated how to get him out of the car. Remember, I’m still dressed like a pumpkin!! We finally called the police. We learned that they will not normally unlock a car due to liability, but they will unlock your car if you child is stuck inside happily sucking his thumb while strapped into his car seat!!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

More from our trip to WDW in Sept. On our third day at Walt Disney World, we visited the Animal Kingdom. We started our day with breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort.

Then, we headed to the Animal Kingdom for the day. At the Animal Kingdom we enjoyed the Finding Nemo live show. This is one of my favorite shows at WDW. We hit Dinoland and rode the Primeval Whirl and Dino Spin. The kids (and Grandma) really love the safari ride. Seeing the animals is always a highlight of the day spent at AK.

We ended our day with a dinner at Whispering Canyon. Whispering Canyon is located in the Wilderness Lodge. It’s a great place to take the kids for a loud, rambunctious meal! We ended the evening with some great food, giant jars of soda, and HUGE desserts we had to take back to the room with us.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Last weekend, my aunt and her boyfriend came to TX for the Titans/Cowboys game. While they were here, we spent Friday walking on the trails and exploring the museum at the Heard. The trails are so nice, and we all had a really good time.

We were all intrigued by this tree. You can see where it was hit by lightning. What’s neat is that it is full of beautiful, green leaves.

Can you see the spider web in the tree?

Can you read this sign? No? Let me type it here for you. Maybe you can help us understand what it means.

The Dimetrodon was the dominant carnivore of the early Permian period, but it actually existed before the dinosaurs appeared on the earth.

Hmmm…Well, ya see…This was seen at the dinosaur exhibit. So, is a Dimetrodon NOT a dinosaur? Or …I don’t even know what else? LOL!

2010 To-Do List

While I don't think I'll accomplish everything on this list in 2010, I do need a place to "dump" all my ideas. So, here goes nothing...Kitchen/Dining Area:*make placemats and cloth napkins*sew curtains*find/create art to hang on big wall*Make family rules art like THIS*Scour yard sales for cheap frames to frame family pics on the fridge like THIS

Master Bedroom:*paint all furniture espresso brown(bought new furniture instead)*find two small rugs for sides of bed(bought one large one instead)*make floating nightstands (bought new furniture)*make curtains*replace crown molding*organize closet like *this*

Game Room:*make dominoes like THIS*make curtains*make floor pillows*replace big desk with smaller onepurchased a new smaller desk and removed it from the game room*create art/craft area for Emma*scour yardsales and Goodwill for cheap frames for framing Emma's artwork like THIS*create "lego" space for Isaac

Sewing Closet:*organize*hang peg board for tool storage*create inspiration board*reprint all ebook directions and bind for easier storage*create a storage system on top of shelving like *this*

Emma's Room:*curtains like THIS (the pink one)*create curtain for AG doll wardrobe*paint it blue*create artwork (ballet-related) for walls*create a place to display her arts and crafts*make new bow holder to match her room*make floor pillows*hang Nutcracker plates*hang white shelf above Nutcracker plates to display Nutcrackers*cover lampshade like THIS with ribbon I have*put up chair rail

Front Yard:*plant flowers in beds around trees*create a flower bed on side of house*extend flower beds in front of house